A woman died after a tree fell on her opposite barracks in Knightsbridge, London. A 63-yearold man driving through rain and gale-force winds died when his car hit a bridge in St

Helens, Merseyside, and a man in his 30s was killed as he repaired a transit van in Canvey Island, Essex.

Emergency crews in Knightsbridge, London where a woman died after a tree fell on her as she walked [ PA]

A jack supporting the van gave way in a strong gust of wind and the vehicle was blown on to him.

The Met Office said more heavy downpours are expected in Scotland today while low pressure will bring wind and rain around the North at the weekend.

Forecaster Dan Williams added: "It is a story of two halves, with winds dying down in the South but quite a lot of rain still coming through Scotland.

"Thursday and Friday will be breezy across the country. This North-South split is likely through the following week, there will be generally drier conditions in the South.

"More unsettled conditions are likely in the North with outbreaks of rain and a risk of gales."

The woman who died in Knightsbridge was killed in Kensington Road soon after passers-by heard "cracking" noises from a massive tree.

One witness said: "It was truly dreadful. I was pushing a pram with my child in it when I heard this terrifying sound. When I looked up I could see a body lying beneath the tree."

Herbert John, buildings manager of a nearby property, said: "The tree partially fell and for half an hour people were still walking through.

"Then there was a massive crack and the tree totally collapsed and hit a wall, which apparently then fell on the poor woman."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers were called just after 11.30am, adding: "The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries continue to establish the woman's

identity and the circumstances around her death."

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who had cycled past the scene earlier, said: "My condolences to the family and there should be a full investigation. It is a dreadful thing to happen."

Another person was injured in the capital when a tree collapsed and another man was taken to hospital after being hit by a falling tree in Belgravia.

The stormy conditions also led to three women being injured by a fallen tree at Southwick Recreation Ground in West Sussex. The three, one believed to be in a wheelchair, were

taken to hospital.

Hundreds of homes lost power during the high winds and more than 100 Heathrow flights were cancelled.

Winds of more than 70mph battered Cumbria while gusts of 108mph were recorded in Scotland's Cairngorm mountains. Scotland was also lashed by torrential downpours bringing one-and-a-half inches of rain.

Railway services between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth were disrupted as South West Trains reported delays due to a fallen tree across the line.

The AA said it had been to more than 5,400 breakdowns by midafternoon with 730 calls being made every hour.

Leon Brown, of The Weather Channel UK, said: "The remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo tracked a little further north than earlier forecasts, but even so they gave us a very gusty and

blustery day.

Fallen trees in News Parks, Leicester after severe winds [SWNS]

"The weekend looks quite promising for southern and eastern Britain with clear and sunny weather, but there will be a few showers in the west and heavier showers for west

Scotland. There may be some snow in the showers over the West Highlands on Sunday, in a strong and gusty wind."

The Environment Agency has issued 15 flood alerts across Britain and four more serious flood warnings in the East with strong winds and high tides today.

It has warned of floods with colossal waves likely to tumble over sea defences.

A spokesman said: "A combination of large waves, strong winds and large coastal surge gives a medium likelihood of minor coastal flooding impacts to parts of Norfolk and Suffolk.

"Other eastern coasts and the north-west coasts of England and Wales may see isolated flooding.